While going about my day, I received a text from a younger friend in high school (recently graduated) asking me for sorority advice. Instead of texting her an encyclopedia of knowledge gathered from time being parented by two affiliated parents (and a whole family mind that), going through recruitment in California yet growing up with Southern expectations of the recruitment process and participating in the Panhellenic Council (for my newbie sorority friend, this is basically the governing group for all sororities we see today) myself, I decided a smarter idea would be to share some of the facts I’ve learned with the rest of the Class of 2020. Please note that this list only concerns 9 of the 26 sororities within the council. I’ve selected the ones I’ve grown up most around and personally know the most people in. The numbering isn’t a ranking but goes in order from the amount of family/friends I have in each one. Also the “Known for” is literally from a website which I’m linking and is not my personal opinion.
Chi Omega (ΧΩ) (Gotta put one’s own first!!)
Founded: University of Arkansas 1895
Symbols: The Skull & Crossbones, the Owl, Diamonds & Pearls & White Carnations
Olympus Representation: Demeter
Colors: Cardinal & Straw
Philanthropy: The Make-a-Wish Foundation
Famous Alumnae: Lucy Liu, Joanne Woodward, Catt Sadler, Harper E. Lee
Known For: “Sweet, involved and classy”
Delta Delta Delta (ΔΔΔ) (Legacy my momma's!)
Founded: Boston University 1888
Symbols: The Dolphin, Pearl, Pine and Pansy
Olympus Representation: Poseidon
Colors: Silver, Gold & Cerulean Blue
Philanthropy: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Famous Alumnae: Farrah Fawcett, Elizabeth Banks, Jodi Benson, Katie Couric
Known For: “Service-oriented, charismatic and a good sense of humor”
Alpha Delta Pi (ΑΔΠ) (My other legacy, thx grandma)
Founded: Wesleyan College 1851
Symbols: The Lion, Violets & Diamonds
Colors: Azure & White
Philanthropy: Ronald McDonald House Charities
Famous Alumnae: Kathy Bates, Nancy Grace, McKey Sullivan, Kate Capshaw
Known for: “Southern, down-to-earth and exclusive”
Phi Mu (ΦΜ) (Other legacy!)
Founded: Wesleyan College 1852
Symbols: Rose Carnation, Lions & the Quatrefoil
Colors: Rose & White
Philanthropy: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Famous Alumnae: Kathryn Stockett, Dana Ivey, Rachel Reilly, Mary Wickes
Known for: “Southern, sassy and girly”
Kappa Kappa Gamma (ΚΚΓ) (Lots of family!)
Founded: Monmouth College 1870
Symbols: The Key, Fleur-de-lis, Owls & Sapphires
Olympus Representation: Minerva
Colors: Dark Blue & Light Blue
Philanthropy: Reading is Fundamental
Famous Alumnae: Ashley Judd, Sophia Bush, Greer Grammer, Mariska Hargitay
Known for: “Popular, social and involved”
Pi Beta Phi (ΠΒΦ) (Cousins & closest friends)
Founded: Monmouth College 1867
Symbols: Arrows, Angels & White Carnations
Colors: Wine & Silver Blue
Philanthropy: Read>Lead>Achieve
Famous Alumnae: Jennifer Garner
Known for: “Pretty, fun and supportive”
Kappa Delta (ΚΔ) (My best friends back home)
Founded: Longwood University, 1897
Symbols: Dagger, Shells, White Roses & Emeralds
Colors: Olive Green & Pearl White
Philanthropy: Girls Scouts of America
Famous Alumnae: Brooke Anderson, Ali Landry, Georgia O’Keefe, Leigh Anne Roberts Tuohy
Known For: “Southern, diverse and outgoing”
Alpha Omicron Pi (ΑΟΠ)
Founded: Barnard College 1897
Symbols: The Panda, Roses, Rubies and a Sheaf
Color: Cardinal
Philanthropy: Arthritis Research and Education
Famous Alumnae: Catherine Mackin, Ashley Crow, Parvati Shallow, Natalie White
Known For: “Easy-going, sweet and funny”
Delta Gamma (ΔΓ)
Founded: Lewis School for Girls 1873
Symbols: Cream-colored Rose & Anchor
Colors: Bronze, Pink & Blue
Philanthropy: Service for Sight
Famous Alumnae: Ann Coulter, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sabrina Bryan, Samantha Harris
Known For: “Classy, sporty and preppy”
Happy rush!
